Cupcakes, Peanut Butter, and Jelly - Bring Back The NBA Nickname Jerseys
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via NBA/SI
During the 2013-2014 NBA season, the Miami Heat and the Brooklyn Nets debuted their highly anticipated ‘nickname jerseys” that featured the easily recognizable nicknames of the players on each team.
From “King James” to “The Truth,” the nickname jerseys were a favorite among the fans, and it brought something different to the court. So why not bring the nickname jerseys back? I’m not sure what the sales statistics were for those nickname jerseys, but I do know that bringing those jerseys back to the court has the potential to create more loyalty and engagement from fans and players - here’s how:
Fan Engagement
Social media is even more prevalent and powerful than it was in 2013 and 2014. If the NBA was to bring back the nickname jerseys, there are many areas and platforms they can use to involve its fans in the process. For starters, the NBA could host a social media contest to see which teams or athletes the fans think have the best nicknames. A social media contest could also involves one of their sponsors and include game tickets or meet and greets as giveaway prizes.
Player Engagement
While making sure to involve the fans, the NBA cannot leave out its players. After all, it is their nickname that’s going on the back of the jerseys.
Involving the players is an important step the NBA should take in making sure that their key stakeholders are happy with the process of bringing back the nickname jerseys. Asking some of the top players what nicknames they prefer over others and if they would be interested in the release of their nickname jersey would set an excellent tone for the NBA and give the players and fans what they want.
New Jerseys, Old and New Nicknames
Via SI
With this year's jersey partnership with Nike and the inclusion of the jersey sponsor patches, the NBA can give fans a nickname on a newly branded jersey. “King James” on a Nike jersey with a Goodyear logo patch would probably be more appealing given his partnership with Nike and that his hometown is in Cleveland.
Also, with the variously themed jerseys that Nike has released this season, it would pretty cool to see some of the cool nicknames on those equally cool jerseys.
There are some new, old, creative and personality-driven nicknames that I’m sure fans would love to see their favorite players wear and that fans would buy if they were on a jersey. Here are some of those nicknames:
- Chef Curry
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly
- The Unicorn
- Splash Brother 1
- Splash Brother 2
- The Brow
- Boogie
- Cupcake
- The Greek Freak
- Uncle Drew
- Swaggy P
- The Beard
Sidebar: Just think if Nike released a “Black Mamba” or “Mamba” Kobe jersey or a “Big Fundamentals” Tim Duncan jersey… Those would sell like $.99 hotcakes.
In the spirit of wishful thinking, Nike, the NBA, and the jersey patch sponsors could all benefit from bringing back the nickname jerseys. If it’s bound to happen, let’s hope it’s sooner rather than later (while some of the top players are still on their current teams).